by Madam Soph
****
January 14th
PBO announces NSA reforms, once again demonstrating the difference between actions and words
****
February 11th
FLOTUS’ gorgeous dress at the French State Dinner:
Stephen Colbert was seated next to FLOTUS, the place normally reserved for the First Lady of France:
February 12
PBO signs executive order raising minimum wage for federal contractors, leading the way for state and business leaders to do the same for workers around the country.
****
March 6
PBO’s first of many chess moves as he announces financial sanctions against individuals and entities responsible for the Russian invasion of Ukraine
****
March 13th
PBO breaks the internet with Between Two Ferns – Healthcare.gov signups surge afterwards
****
March 27th
President Obama in Italia
With Pope Francis, President Giorgio Napolitano and, admirer of PBO, Prime Minister Matteo Renzi:
****
November 4th
Campaigning with PBO proves to be a winning strategy:
Running away from a successful, popular President? Not so much:
****
November 11th
U.S. and China jointly announce bold agreement on Climate Change and Clean Energy:
****
December 8th
President Obama visits the Colbert Report in Washington and delivers “The Decree”
Stephen ended the interview by asking the question,
“Barack Obama: Great President or The Greatest President?”
Stephen’s conservative character usually asks guests this question about GWB as satire, but this time, sitting across from the great President Barack Obama, he was able to ask it authentically
****
December 17th
PBO announces new Cuba policy:
Conservative Catholics’ belief in Papal Infallibility is tested:
****
December 19
PBO trolls the men of the WHPC….
by calling on 8 women reporters and zero men:
****
And finally, the moment Dudette posted this pic of PBO on a well-deserved Vacation…
Be still, my California-girl heart!
****
Happy New Year!
Here’s to 2015, two more years of the Greatest President!
The Obama Diary 
Gooooal
I wish flippin’ Man United managed a goal today 🙄
Helloooooooooo GGail!!!
That’s okay Chips – let’s just say that Chelsea allowed the other team to score and ManU did not allow any! 😀
Now that’s a howdy-do Hellloooooo 🙂
In. Your. Dreams.
We added points and remain top. Man United ended with a zero.
But hey, how’s that GOP math working out for you?
Damn! I thought you had left the building….how ya doin’ NW 😀 😀 😀
I see and hear everything……E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G 😀 😀
I’m doing well, GGail. Thanks for asking.
Hi GGail, our winner on this lovely post by Madame Soph.
Hi Judith! Thank you and yes it is a very lovely post by Madame Soph 🙂
Congrats on first GGail. Have a great day. Good Morning to all TOD’ers. I have been very busy these past 2 weeks and finally have time to make a comment or two. I am also having difficulty choosing the “best” picture of each month. Sigh.
Thanks Betsy and welcome to the “club”. Give all the blame…I mean credit to the one called VC 😀
/smh – I. am. not. guilty!/ Both credit and blame for the head scratchings go to Chips Chica. Honest! She’s the one who kicked this opinion poll up to the stratosphere…. and is cackling with glee behind the scenes. If you could only see her when she’s on her chair watching all y’all dithering from one pic to the next. [Okay, so I laugh along with her – it’s awfully funny to see/hear all the indecision – but that’s all I’ve done since handing it over to the boss. ]
Congrats Gail!! 🙂
Madame Soph – OUTSTANDING!!! Thank you!!!!
Thank you Bobfr, what a nice compliment from you, the TOD Secretary of International Information!
🙂
Thanks.Bob!
And I like that title for Bob, MadameSoph 🙂
🙂
Well, well, well 😀
Well, well, well, indeed! Very nice footwork!
GM/GA VC!!!! Thank ye (bowing)
Faaaaaaaaantastic memories Madam Soph, thanks a trazillion for sharing them with us!!!
Thank you for rounding it out with the wonderful pics and YouTubes, especially that PBO chess master one! I had totally forgotten that cartoon but it is PERFECT for the moment!
Congratulations to all of TOD for these end of year wrap-ups which inspire us to action! Hi from Seattle!
Thank you for the compliment above, Judith. I am a Seahawks fan and my good friend just moved to Seattle!
Oh MadameSoph – what a great and creative compilation! Thank you!!!
Thanks GGail! and congrats on first and gooal! 🙂
🙂
Wow – Excellent selection Madame Soph!! 🙂 Love love absolutely loved the Colbert Report appearance!
Congrats GGail on #1 🙂
Thanks hopefruit 🙂
Thank you Hopefruit! I know, seeing that Colbert Report appearance by PBO totally put a cherry on my year!
Not looking forward to PBO having to deal with a crazy Repub Congress, but I am looking forward to him calling them all out with his expert comedic delivery at the White House Correspondent’s Dinner!
Merci beaucoup, Mme Soph. C’est de bons moments tu as choisi!
Merci du compliment, VC!
🙂 YVW
I would love to talk to Alison Grimes, the Clinton Democrat, the one who would not say if she voted for Barack Obama. Any regrets Alison on how you ran your campaign?
annie, CNN should do a segment called “where are they now?” and include Alison Grimes 😀
Are those choppers for real…? (PBO certainly is!)
INTERESTING TIMES IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD…SOMEBODY PUT THE RED FLAG UP ON OUR MAILBOX LAST NIGHT…WEREN’T ME…SO LET THE GAMES BEGIN BECAUSE WHOEVER IT IS…THEY ARE FOOLING WITH THE WRONG FEMALE….I DON’T QUIT AND I DON’T BACK DOWN!…HOPE EVERYONE IS HAVING A SUPERB DAY TODAY!!!!!!…AM AT HOME ALL DAY TODAY CATCHING UP ON SOME MUCH NEEDED…AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH TIME!!!!!!
Sue, please stay safe and let us know what happens.
THANKYOU JACKIE…:)
Chuck Todd says why he lets republicans lie on Meet the Press.
http://www.politicususa.com/2014/12/28/chuck-todd-defends-challenging-republican-lies-meet-press.html
I’M AFRAID OLD CHUCK IS GOING TO HAVE A SHORT CAREER!…SHAME ON YOU CHUCKIE!!!!…SHARING YOUR LITTERBOX WITH THE REPUGNANTS!!!
Wow…. what a loser her is
I’LL NEVER FORGET THAT DRESS FLOTUS WORE…SO BEAUTIFUL AND SHE IS GORGEOUS…SHE MAKES THE DRESS!…SO GLAD PBO HAS THOSE CHOPPERS OVERHEAD…THINGS ARE TOUCH EVERYWERE AND NOONE NEED TAKE ANY CHANCES ON HIS SECURITY….I’LL ‘SUE’ THEM IF THEY DO! I LOVE MY PRESIDENT!!!!!
THAT’S BLONDE TYPING…TOUGH EVERYWHERE IS WHAT I MEANT TO SAY!…GEESH!!!!
You all who’ve put these memorable moments together- are awesome! MadameSoph, Japa, Hopefruit, Criquet, JoB.. and all others- thank you thank you thank you. With my health related memory problems, I just can’t remember stuff like this off the top of my head- seeing all of these ‘moments’ brings it all back to me and I am so grateful to be reminded of what a truly amazing year we’ve had due to President Obama’s hard work and service to us all.
I’m so glad we all get to remind each other of these beautiful memories! More to come in 2015 and beyond, of course!
darn right job 🙂
Sherijr and JoBoomer,
That’s what’s so wonderful about TOD: coming together to share the experiences in real time, and then later helping each other to remember and getting to relive them!
I HOPE THE PRESIDENT IS ENJOYING HIMSELF TODAY…AT LEAST HE WAS ABLE TO SURF AND WE KNOW HE’S BEEN OUT THERE OFTEN CHASING THAT BALL ON THE GOLF COURSE….I AM REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE NEW YEAR BECAUSE I DO BELIEVE CONGRESS OR ‘FILL IN THE BLANKS’ WILL BE IN FOR SEVERAL SURPRISES!!!!!
Hello Chips and TOD. Wonderful memories Madame Soph. Thank you.
I CAN’T SMILE WIDE ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ain’t that the truth!
Thank you JER,
Read that article. Wow! I am both slightly troubled by the practice of using volunteer motorcade drivers and also wondering how I can be one 🙂 I have a perfect driving record! If any SS are lurking, I’d love to do my part!
Could anyone tell me why I started an attempt at Spring Cleaning on December 28? 🙄
First Man United are muck, then I nearly die of needing a pee during Danny’s adventure, now this.
It’s an evil day.
Back in a bit.
Chips, you need to use those mental health coverage benefits before the year runs out! 😯
/left hand raised/ Not ‘started’ – I figure you are completing the cleaning you started back in spring 2014. Keep going …. you may just be on target for spring 2015!
#wrongtiming ?
I LOOK AT ALL THAT PBO HAS DONE AND AM SO DISGUSTED WITH UNGRATEFUL AMERICAN PEOPLE WHO DO NOT APPRECIATE A GREAT PRESIDENT…HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM…MUST BE HIS COLOR!!!…WELL…IF THEY ARE DISAPPOINTED…I GUESS THEY’LL HAVE TO TALK TO GOD ABOUT THAT!…MAYBE GOD WILL CHANGE PBO’S SKIN COLOR…THEN HE CAN MAKE ALL THE REPUBLICANS HAPPY AND ALL OF THE EXTREMELY DEVOUT RACISTS IN THIS COUNTRY!…I COULD ADD MY SINCERE OPINION TO THIS BUT IT’S FAMILY HOUR!…CHECK BACK LATER…OFF TO FB TO SEE WHAT THE RIGHT WINGERS ARE DOING IN THEIR SANDBOX!
Slate?
Hope this was a Severe Attempt case of an Emoprog joke.
I can’t imagine why this was even an attempt to any joke or Not…….what a sad Slate.
The article actually casts the Obamas as a traditional family. But the clickbait tweet had their picture with “non-traditional”.
THEY WOULD RATHER HAVE THEM IN SHACKLES!…GOD FORBID IF AN AFRICAN AMERICAN FAMILY IS SUCCESSFUL….GET BACK TO THE COTTON OR TOBACCO FIELDS AND DO WHAT YOU WERE CREATED TO DO!!!!…THAT’S THE TRAIN OF THOUGHT…PEOPLE HAVE NOT GRADUATED FROM THE SCHOOL OF HUMANITY AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHO JESUS CHRIST IS…THEY ALSO DON’T RESPECT HIS COMMANDMENT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
This is another way that the media turns 180 degrees to show that the Obamas are “different”. Until 2008, traditional families (Mom, Dad and 2.7 children) for the media and the GOP were the ONLY families that mattered. Now that there is a black guy in the white house who happens to have that traditional family – suddenly every other type of family is better.
The US media – finding yet another way to disrespect the first family – The media matters article on Chuckie the Toad says it all
“Since the news became a corporate for-profit enterprise, the mission of informing the public has taken a back seat to the idea that not rocking the boat is better for business than telling the truth. Chuck Todd is a symptom of a much larger disease. His explanation perfectly sums up why millions of Americans don’t trust the corporate media.”
http://www.politicususa.com/2014/12/28/chuck-todd-defends-challenging-republican-lies-meet-press.html
LL…WRONG COLOR……………………………
Madame Soph, I love all your choices and images. I’m so grateful to you and the others for bringing so many good memories together here. You are all awesome.
Thanks, JackieG! I know, I have so been enjoying all of the MMMs and also the picture of the year candidates!
Now the last Picture and with numerous Helicopters hovering up in the air above the Ocean, protecting…….one Handsome shirtless…….the Honorable, Mr. Barack H. Obama is one fantastic Pictorial. 😉
Awesome post Madame Sophs 😉 In_deed.
Au ⭐ for GGail 😉
Now, the ALL Women/Ladies Presser still gives me the proverbial, please proceed, WHPCers huge old 🙂
Thanks Nena! I know, I LOVE that pic! My friend and her family spend this time of year in Hawaii every year and she has seen PBO’s vacation spot. We grew up with surfers, skateboarders and boogieboarders and she and I both think it is so cool to have a President who boogieboards!
Not a Bad *cough* Picture 😉
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DENZEL…THEY BROKE THE MOLD ON THIS ACTOR…HE’S AMAZING!
Now, these numbers were good, no doubt.
As of Today, these Numbers are Great. Come Jan 2nd, 2015…….Drum-Roll, these Numbers will be The Greatest in 16th years……No doubt about it.
This is the first time in a long while that the economic confidence has been positive.
Madame Soph – This is absolutely gorgeous!
Happy Sunday, TODville!
ROFL! Hi Everyone! I love all of MadameSoph’s memorable moments from 2014, especially that last one! 😀
2014 somehow, morphed into Circa 2007/2008/2009?
In_Deed 😉
😀
Dudette, I will be forever grateful for you bringing that gorgeous pic of PBO to TOD! 🙂
What happened to your Trekker Angel? I loved her! You retired her too soon. It’s still the holidays!
Chuck Todd and Co make Content and Context oblivious to The Truth
She makes eighty two look goooood. Happy birthday Ms Nichols.
WOW…SHE IS AMAZING AT 80…SUCH A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN!!!!…GORGEOUS ACTUALLY!!!!
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS…..AND AMEN!!!!!!…I WOULD IMAGINE JOHNBOY HAS A GOOD AND SOLID RASH BY NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!…POOR LOSER…FIGHTS DIRTY AND HE WANTS TO BOMB EVERYBODY! IF ANYTHING EVER HAPPENS TO SANTA…YOU’LL KNOW WHO IS RESPONSIBLE!!!!!
THIS…………IS OUR ‘RESPONSIBLE’ PRESIDENT!!!!…BBL!!!!
This is huge Nerdy! I wonder if the MSM will give this the in-depth, headline attention it deserves. Yet another promise kept by PBO!
Nerdy, this also gives me an opportunity to thank you for all of the important information that you bring to TOD, that you live-tweet and that you share with the world! And thank you also for your tireless volunteer efforts during and leading up to the midterms. Texas may not have turned blue this time, but your efforts WILL pay off one day!
Thanks, MadameSoph.
Also, thank you for your 2014 Memorable Moments. From policy to fashion, to humor, you made us all remember wonderful game changing moments.
Afternoon, TOD! So cool to come in and see my moments featured!
Chips! That cartoon of PBO playing chess!! I had forgotten that. How absolutely perfect! I felt bad about not finding a pic or YouTube to go with every moment but I’m so glad I didn’t because you found the perfect stuff to round them out.
Hope your day is improving Chips! I am planning to have a similar day (West Coast Time): take the kitties out, go for a walk and then reorganize my bedroom closet.
Is this the twin who had a daughter not so long ago, or is this the other twin?
He is a Twin 😉 . He has a daughter…….she was 4/5 in 2012 at the NC Dems Convention. This Twin is the Sec……who was just sworn in many weeks ago. Now, he has a son……Bless them all 😉
His Brother, the Representative Castro, he got engaged and had a baby girl many weeks ago too 😉
Now the complete News on the Handsome Castro Twins 😉
JER, the menu for this restaurant looks delicious!
madam soph, your choices are superb–thanks so much for these memories. and that dress! pleasepleaseplease can we vote for that picture for best? 🙂
Since you guys have had soooo much fun being indecisive 😉 . I’m wondering if we could talk Chips Chica into doing a “FLOTUS 2014” or “FLOTUS FASHIONS” spread right after this polling business is over – you know, like in the first week of January, when not much is happening?
I’m back after having a ‘tea’ session of several hours with some unexpected guests! It was fun; more so because I also got a duet musical performance which was *quite* good. (Offspring may have a degree in music but he **rarely** plays music at home, even when I ask.) One of today’s visitors has a beautiful voice(a) and the other is like his grand-aunt(b). So ‘b’ simply asks for some music and ‘a’ offers to sing-a-long and away they went! They didn’t have to ask twice. Très cool!
So Susanne, I see that several of you WOULD enjoy a FLOTUS 2014 photo spread during the first week of January! 😎 Now who is going to present the ‘petition’ to Chips Chica? I suspect that I ought to keep a low and quiet profile on the subject of photographs, even though I do believe a 2-4 posts photo spread on MO would be terrific! We could do 3 months together, as in Jan to March, April to June etc. and we don’t have to vote on them – just appreciate each look. We could, if we wanted to strain our brains and for the fun of it, have people identify when the outfit was worn, ex; Medal of Honour ceremony, trip to Asia, etc. Anyhoo, it doesn’t hurt to ask – I just don’t think I should be the one asking. 😉
Susanne, thank you!
And VC, I second that idea! I would love a FLOTUS photo feature! She is the most elegant and stylish first lady in my memory!
you are most welcome!
and this is a terrific idea, from our quiet friend 🙂
except for the part about not much happening in january– i have a feeling pbo is cranked up and has lots more goodies to deliver in the new year!
Dittoooooooo….Thumbs UP
yes yes yes I want that too and maybe a 2014 calendar of PBO/FLOTUS lovenugget momments. One of my favorites is PBO running up the stairs of FLOTUS’ plane just before takeoff. Lord I Love his Love for FLOTUS.
😳 My response about a FLOTUS photo spread landed in the wrong place. Ay, me!
@Madame Soph, what a lovely, sparkling, witty, and thoroughly delightful recounting of this marvelous uplifting year of PBO-World. I adore the close-up images of our incomparable and stunningly beautiful FLOTUS in That Magnificent Dress; and the contrast of WolfWins with Two Sourpusses; and what a finish: SuperPope; SuperPBO, Wordsmith Women of WHPC, and a day at the Beach. Thank you!
Thank you Nancie!
this is hilarious. clearly, there is very little news to be reported during the president’s vacation. seems to me, local news outlets could provide the needed coverage and the press pool could stay home. how many times did the president go to the gym? or play golf? these are not matters of national import.
having said that, some of us 🙂 love to see all the newsy bits!
I’m sorry but is that supposed to be my FLOTUS? as reported in ABC article? confused 😦
O.k. just caught up on this a.m.’s post and voted for my fave photos (yay! they are winning so far) Although I didn’t choose it as fave, that chocolate cake photo with PBO made me crave a big chocolate cake with dark chocolate ganache (I think I’ll have to do that for New Year’s now).
O.k. Looks like I missed Chips. I’m off to take the kitties out and then do some spring cleaning myself!
NYPD Union should try and Learn that in a Democratic Republic, Police is under the Civilian rule and We The People pay their salaries and insist on the Rules that govern their activities.
I almost didn’t click on it because it was Gawker…but that is excellent.. and the comments are good too.
Thanks for posting it.
The philosophy and attitude expressed in that letter are outstanding, and should be emulated country over. What a difference could be made. The NYPD, Ferguson, etc. police departments need to read this and take it to heart and put it into action. Bravo to him. And Bravo also to the commenters…..I was pleasantly surprised.
Thank you for bringing this here, Nena. I was heartened and uplifted by reading his response. We need more like him in law enforcement.
LOVE Love….Madam Soph’s highlighted moments…smilin
🙂 back at ya Prettyfoot! Thank you!
This applies to All, including The News Media. Listen up Chuckles Toad.
WE HAVE A MORAL FAILURE IN THIS COUNTRY…AKA…IT’S AN EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF ATTITUDE…HATRED OF THE POOR AND THOSE IN NEED OF EDUCATION…ETC…..I TALKED TO A YOUNG MAN TODAY AT CHURCH WHO HAD TO SWITCH SCHOOLS…HE WAS GOING TO ANDERSON UNIV…NOW HE IS GOING TO TECH. SCHOOL…HE COULDN’T AFFORD TO CONTINUE AT ANDERSON…THE WEALTHY DON’T GIVE A DARN…THEY DON’T CARE IF THE KIDS IN THIS COUNTRY ARE EDUCATED AND THEY DON’T WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT KIDS DON’T FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS. THEY DON’T CARE ABOUT EDUCATION…THEY CARE ABOUT THEIR OWN BANK ACCOUNTS. THEY DON’T CARE IF ANYONE GOES HUNGRY OR NOT AS LONG AS THEY STAY OUT OF THEIR OWN FRIDGE…THEY HATE ALL COLORS BUT THEIR OWN LITTLE WHITE SELVES…I HOPE THE PRESIDENT HAS AN AWESOME REST…BECAUSE EVIL IS WAITING FOR HIM TO RETURN. BTW…I HOPE THEY CHECK THE CARGO LIST ON THAT AIRLINER….NEXT!!!!!..P.S….AS FOR MORAL OBLIGATIONS…THEY DON’T KNOW WHAT IN THE HELL THAT MEANS!…MY HEART ACHES AND BREAKS FOR THE SHAPE THIS WORLD IS IN…SHAMEFUL!!!!
I love that dress…FLOTUS is soooooo beautiful…and stylish
Agree prettyfoot58.
THE REPUGNANT THIEVES HAVE BEEN STEALING FOR DECADES…BUT HERE IS MY THOUGHT….GOD HAS AN ACCOUNT OF ALL THINGS…NOONE GETS AWAY WITH ANYTHING….EVER!…IN GOD’S TIME…PAYBACKS ARE HELL!
Remember, on Jan 21st, 2009 what this self loathing man did……..He engineered a Political Coup d’etat on President Obama with 19 of his most divisive and unpatriotic bunch……Gingrich, Coburn, Ryan, DeWitt, etc.
Their came was what America’s worst enemies wished and had hoped to generate if ONLY they could.
And Now, this Lying pack of sack says what?
May Karma visit his Huge arse soon.
This same arse was used in coming up with phrases to distort, lie and misinform. He was Jubilant and active in the impeachment of one Bill Clinton…….
This!! He was the main player Nena; such hypocrisy.
So it was the Daily Show making Us Cynical as opposed to Journalist Not capable of Holding those in power…..who appear on your show…..Lying their pants off ACCOUNTABLE, heh, Chuckles?
This day is going by too quickly! It’s after 2pm! I have to go to work tomorrow 😦
Your Wonderful Mind is always active.
Your heart is the Best. What a beautiful selfless soul.
I ❤ you for that.
Here's a Huge {{{{ 🐻 }}}} Doc 😉
That is such a lovely compliment, Nena. Thank you so much!!!! & a big {{{ for you }}}
Excellent, thoughtful article, Yardarm. Thanks for finding it and sharing.
DMI. I learn something every time I do.
On the Entertainment News.
Alicia Keys had another baby, this time, A bundle of joy, another BOY 😉
Chris Rock and his wife of 19yrs are Divorcing 😦
The News by Huffington Post
…..at $5.99 to rent and now, ITunes or it it IPhones has joined in…..$$$$$ amount are now mounting and adding up fast.
Interesting…
I wonder how much revenue would have been generated if there had not been that “North Korea hacked our computers” fiasco
We have similar thoughts pf 🙂
YANNOOOOO
“Theoretically, a customs union carries mutual benefits to the member states. However, as the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development noted in a 1988 report, between 1967 and 1988 the customs union between Israel and the OPT treated the two economies as dualisms that entrenched the status quo, which, at that time, had established the OPT as a reservoir of cheap labor and Israel as a production and export powerhouse.
Importantly, the arrangement allowed for the unrestricted flow of Israeli goods into the Palestinian economy. Since then, the state of the Palestinian economy has only worsened, and its dependence on imports from Israel has deepened.
The economy is marked by industrial stagnation and the decline of other productive sectors, particularly agriculture, as well as growing trade deficits and a weak export base. The customs union has been key to this process of stagnation, keeping the Palestinian economy industrially weak, underdeveloped, and dependent on imports.
Such skewed results are to be expected given the vast asymmetry of productive capacity between Israel and the OPT. The harm to the Palestinian economy has been further magnified by Israel’s ability to impose at will, as the occupying military power, a one-sided and inconsistent implementation of the union.”
“The war is over, victory secured. And Afghanistan, once again, has been rebuilt. But for many, life in the restive provinces is much as it ever was. The Taliban are a rampant force. The government’s authority is limited, at best.
Today saw the US and Nato formally end their war in Afghanistan with a ceremony in Kabul. With it came a new name for the mission in Afghanistan – Operation Resolute Support.
That support will, said General John Campbell, commander of the US-led International Security Assistance Force, serve as the “bedrock of an enduring partnership” between Nato and Kabul. From New Year’s Day, the mission will be to provide training and support for the country’s military. It is needed. As the conflict enters a new phase, the Taliban have, in turn, adapted. And roadside bombs – easy to assemble, easier to hide and costing a fraction of other weapons – are the Taliban’s new weapon of choice.
“Every day before setting off for work, I give my three children a big hug. I don’t know if I’ll ever come back,” says Abdul Ghafoor Afghanyar, a specialist in improvised explosive devices (IEDs) who works for the Afghan police in Helmand province.”
Is Twitter down?
yes, nothing is moving.
It’s working, hf2.
I can’t sign on at all – either from the computer or on my smartphone. I’m getting a Twitter error page…”something is technically wrong and we’re working to fix it…”
Try clearing your cache and rebooting, hf2. Twitter is working fine for me
Ummmmm…i get an error message that Twitter is down.. 😦
Thank you Madame Soph for a lovely spread. Wonderful, beautiful pictures and to begin with Flotus looking as lovely as ever is a wonderful treat.
Thank you vetivera!
Where are the girls?
2 in the back of the room. BTW, Miss Pat, that is why I support the Central Asia Institute!!
a flying pope? who woulda thunk?
Apparently – the Twitter problem seems to be confined only to Android smarthphone users and those who also didn’t initially create their Twitter accounts with a “Google” or “Gmail” email account. Not sure how long this problem will last before resolution.
Now I’m reading on other forums that the Twitter problem is worldwide – not just in the US, but in Venezuela, Canada, Malaysia, Australia, India…
I am not signed in but I could see Bob’s tweet above.
My twitter account is working fine
Do you have an android smartphone? If yes, then you must have used a google or gmail account to create your Twitter account.
The glitch apparently only affects people who have Twitter aps on their Android smartphones, and who didn’t initially use a google or gmail account to sign up for Twitter.
Oh okay. I have both google+ and gmail accounts and can access my twitter from my android.
UhHo. NK promised to do something, but I think it’s hackers who also hit the gamers
Now complaints are coming in from Brazil, South Africa, and Panama! LOL 🙂
Ut ohhhh….
Now complaints are coming in from Mexico and France!
I read that the Twitter Engineers are aware of the problem and feverishly trying to work to restore service.
wow…has this happened before?
Don’t recall this happening – at least not since I’ve been on Twitter.
Twitter-Android complaints now coming in from Indonesia, Ontario-Canada, Quebec-Canada, Germany, Ecuador, and various US states – RI, KS, TN, MD, NY, TX.
First, the playstations and now twitter – what’s next for the new year?
Hackers!
Hmmm…yes…Why that is so, I don’t know!
you can’t pin this on me. amk did not broked twitter. say it.
I was ready to blame you. It’s a good thing you posted this tweet.
//ducks and runs….
Hey everyone, I may never quite catch up, so far behind. Big hugs…. 🐻
That’s corny amk 🙂
but funny!
Is TOD broke now too????
Hello??????
Hi GGail – everyone’s gone to fix twitter 🙂
Oh lord 99ts. TOD folks might make it worse 😀
Guess it’s time for me to turn in and get my mind ready to go to work tomorrow.
Have a lovely day 99ts 🙂
There are advantages in being retired – no work to go to 🙂 I’m off out to do the uncle’s shopping – hope I’m as well as him when I”m 90 (& have someone to do the shopping 🙂
sleep well
TOD is not broken – thank goodness! 🙂
I would be heartbroken if TOD were broken!
That is not to be discussed hf!! And thank you for your memorable moments – I am almost caught up reading
Twitter is now back in business
“It is true that we Iranians live dual lives, and so it is true that to see us in focus, you must enter our inner sanctum. But the inner sanctum includes women who believe in the hijab, fat women, old women and, most important, women in professions from doctor to shopkeeper. It also includes men, not all of whom are below 30 years of age. If you wish to see Iran as it is, you need go no further than Facebook and Instagram. Here, Iran is neither fully veiled nor longing to undress itself. Its complex variety is shown through the lens of its own people, in both private and public spaces.
For 22 years, since I returned after living in Britain, I have seen women push against boundaries in every aspect of life. We have established a distance between the realities of our lives and how the state wishes us to behave. We have consistently defied official efforts to keep us inside our private spaces, by entering universities and professions in record numbers. But it is also in the sanctuary of our private spaces that we have raised young men and women who now can negotiate conservative cultural norms more smoothly than we ever did before the revolution.
Many Iranian women still fight for tangible legal equalities; supported by many of our menfolk, we often pay dearly in that effort, whether we wear the chador or the manteau. Showing the world our designer handbags or bra straps does not signify what we have achieved or strive for. Maybe it’s time for the world to stop measuring Iran through the bodies of its women. Maybe we should be careful that, in an effort to repossess our image from the grasp of a strict ideology, we don’t slip into a mindless production of new stereotypes.”
h/t prrrsiankitten™ @prrrsiankitten for suggesting that it remains essential reading …
#BringBackOurTwitter
😀 😀 😀 😀
b-a-c-k-i-n-g away!
BTW, have had no disruption of Twitter, Tweetbot or TOD, today. Good fortune not to ever use Google products 🙂
#BlameBarack
🙂
🙂
🙂
Twitter is now working for me – on my computer AND on my smartphone! 🙂
#TrustBarack
🙂
😀
BTW, Twitter’s CEO is being hounded by #WallSt (aka #KOCHSTERS, #KLEPTOCRATS and their scummy minions), so I’ve suggested a simple formula for how he can expand Twitter’s power, have adequate operating capital, and do more good.
Closure based on proven commitment ….
Twitter would become sustainable on a scale he can’t imagine …. I guarantee it.
Cute …
😀 😀 😀
I saw on a FB posting that Bernie Sanders will decide by March 2015 if he will run for President…does anyone think that VP Biden will run
I don’t think VP Biden will run, but what would be absolutely amazing is if he announced his candidacy with Senator Warren standing next to him and he informed everyone that if he won the nomination she would be his VP choice. I don’t think anyone could beat that ticket.
As to Senator Sanders, I’d say the same thing that Rand said about Jeb – ‘the more the merrier.’ But, I also think that if Senator Warren announces her candidacy that he’d back off. I don’t think he’d run against a VP Biden, Senator Warren combo, either.
Yes We Can
Why not 🙂
bbl …
I have to ask..Bob…why do you support Sen Warren for President
Because she has a crystal clear populist, egalitarian, democratic message & would, without any doubt, expand the empathy-inspired legacy of President Obama, pf58.
i am not feeling her…but i respect your opinion…i will keep an open mind
I have to agree with you, While Elizabeth Warren espouses really good liberal ideals, I haven’t seen any effectiveness in her to actually get things done, and to be realistically get a large enough following to move the country to follow her. Not everyone is a Democrat, or even as liberal as she is. Until she’s able to express her ideas in ways that the majority of Americans can understand, then she’ll continue to be a liberal darling, but not at all effective or viable as a Presidential candidate.
Respectfully theo, Senator Warren is no more a ‘liberal darling’ on 29 Dec 2014 than Senator Obama was on 29 Dec 2006.
She is far wider known on 29 Dec 2014 than Senator Obama was on 29 Dec 2006. Throughout 2007, I was always amused at how many folk with whom I interacted could not properly pronounce his name.
Her championing of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is, without doubt, one of the most important efforts on behalf of most Americans, ever. And, I have zero doubt that President Obama admires her selfless service to the majority of Americans.
She is, on 29 Dec 2014, way more feared by the #KLEPTOCRATS & their minions than Senator Obama was on 29 Dec 2006. I’d wager that the Koch Bro paid close to, if not, zero attention to Barack Hussein Obama on 29 Dec 2006. They know Senator Warren is gunning for them, relentlessly. And, they know she is a Woman and she is not Black.
I’ll leave you with this ….
… and wish you and your loved ones a prosperous and joyful New Year.
Happy New Year to you and yours, as well, Bob! 🙂
It’s time to reclaim Democratic ideals and a Democratic message, with pride and strength We have let the RWNJ’s define us. Warren isn’t some socialist nut – she is a common sense FDR Democrat who sees stabilization of our country through a strong middle class and a country that believes and invests in the commons. This isn’t some radical message – this is the common sense that kept our country stable and growing until Reagan. The problem for the last 30 years is that Democrats have run from what works because the GOP makes the most noise. Warren can appeal the way PBO appeals. We have a lot of work to do to undo Democratic caving to RW memes, but it starts with Democrats like Elizabeth Warren.
Agree, 57!
Happy New Year!!
back at ya, Bob! The battle continues……..
Theo, Warren has only been in the Senate for a few years, in the most obstructionist Congress in history. I’m unsure what you think she should have accomplished as a junior senator under these awful conditions. The financial consumer protections were a major contribution of hers.
Appreciate your comment, pf58. Thank you!
too lazy to scroll all the way to the top? I am.
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/go-to-top/?src=api
🙂
I can’t get this dumb button to download. And yes, I restarted firefox.
Okay, on the third attempt, it’s there.
sorry. I have ditched it and moved on to a
betterlazier one. It does both top & bottom.https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/back-to-top/versions/?page=1#version-8.0
Stepping in late. I cleaned my bedroom closet today… Yay! Been putting it off so long.
Wow! My memorable moments thread has gotten so long!
Are you still doing spring cleaning Chips? I hope your day improved!
Thankyou MadameSoph – great moments
What’s with all you cleaning nerds? Trying to give others a complex? Well, since you’re on a closet binge, I have a few closets I can offer you. 😉
WOW, MadameSoph! Your “moments” are fantastic. And I see I’m not the only night owl 🙂
No, you are not! 🙂
Yeah, I don’t see a problem in Cleveland, do you?
It is just so ugly Bob – and 100% racist. They really never did believe in any form of equality – took a black President and the black son of a white Mayor to highlight the “white man’s rules”
Precisely, 99!
good night TOD
Christmas wishes to you & yours Bob – I have been too busy to be much at TOD at this time – so a belated thankyou for all you do in supporting PBO
Thank you very much, 99. Hope you and your loved ones will have a healthy and happy 2015!
It’s black folks who are being murder, if it were white folks being murder by black police officers what would these marchers be saying?
So true.
Morning amk. Looks like it’s you and me. Wake up TOD. 🙂
morning tgirl. xmas was so last week. #lazybt(s)
Moooooooooorning!
http://theobamadiary.com/2014/12/29/early-bird-rise-and-shine-5/